Texas is a large state with a range of diverse activities and serene landscapes, including unique castle lakes, romantic getaways and sandy beaches. If you want to enjoy a weekend trip to Texas without emptying your wallet, here is our list of the top six places to visit in the Lone Star State, and enjoy your stay while you are at it!
- Austin
Surprisingly, Austin offers a wide range of cheap or free activities for a weekend trip. Often called the Live Music Capital of the World, head over to any pub, bar, cafes or clubs during Friday or Saturday night and you will come across a wealth of music, spread across every genre.
Much of the activity can be found around Sixth Street, and enjoyed over a cup of coffee or a pint of beer, depending on your taste. Before heading out to party in the evening, take a look at the largest urban bat colony in the States take flight from under the Congress Avenue Bridge.
During the day, visit the Texas Memorial Museum and check out the gems and fossils on display. Tourists can also visit the grand state capitol building, as its magnificent architecture has earned numerous accolades. Austin also has a range of outdoor activities on offer at the Lady Bird Lake, Fiesta Gardens and the Barton Springs pool.
- South Padre Island
Regarded by America’s best beach for visiting with the family, by the Travel Chanel, South Padre Island is a tiny resort town located in the extreme south of Texas, and is famous for being an affordable vacation spot.
Travelers on a budget will admire the endless economical accommodation options on offer, right from family motels, many of which can be found right on the shores, to campgrounds with RV hookups.
There are plenty of activities too, if you do not want to sun bask, like collect brightly-colored seashells from the beach, or fish for trout, skipjack, flounder and more from the pier. You could also take a stroll down the Laguna Madre Nature Trail to catch a glimpse of alligators, exotic birds or dolphins.
- Galveston
Best known for the 32-mile sandy beach, Galveston Island offers a wide variety of affordable fun activities along with a bunch of cheap accommodation and dining options. Seawall Beach offers a long stretch of sand, meaning you can spend the entire day at the beach, looking for adventure.
Stroll along the coastline or enjoy a game of beach volleyball. Build a sandcastle or simply play in the sand or surf, the choices are endless and a lot of fun. Galveston has quite a few museums, most of which barely cost a dime to visit.
The Texas Seaport Museum, Tall Ship Elissa, Galveston Railroad Museum, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum and Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast all have a very low admission price. And to end the day, do not forget to catch a glimpse of the setting sun over the horizon.
- San Antonio
The range of free stuff to do in San Antonio includes the city’s most famous site, Alamo, which offers a fascinating sight of the site where in 1816, an epic 13-day siege occurred during the historic Texas Revolution.
The River Walk, San Antonio’s most popular attraction, is just a short walk away. Take a narrated boat ride for just $10 per person, with significant discounts for the elderly and children, as you glide underneath arched bridges, which might give you the impression that you are in Venice.
Do not forget to visit El Mercado or Market Square, as the Mexican market hosts vendors that sell handicrafts, fresh farm produce and other items at minimal prices. The market also has a Mexican bakery that is open around the clock.
Do not forget to visit the Tower of the Americas and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city from up top. You can easily avoid paying the steep admission fee required to enter the observatory, by heading to the bar just one floor below, which offers a similar view.
- Meridian State Park
During the spring and summer months the high cliffs and trails at the Meridian State Park will remind you of the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest. This is the perfect time to experience the wonderfully refreshing place as the weather begins to warm up.
Most of the activities in this region are based around the 72-acre lake, which draws paddlers, anglers and swimmers from all around the state. Enjoy primitive camping ar the campsite by the RV park with full hookups and waterside cabins where you can fish right next to the bonfire.
If you are keen on hiking, you will enjoy the 5-mile trek around the lake, while bird watchers should not miss the opportunity to take a stroll on the 1.64-mile Shinnery Trail loop for a rare sight of the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler.
- Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area, Port O’Connor
Located just a boat ride away from Port O’Conner is Matagorda Island, and there are plenty of affordable guided tours willing to take you across and back. You can also stay back and enjoy camping for a minimum fee.
The island is uninhabited and motorized vehicles are not allowed to ply. The Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area features a 38-mile wild and unexplored beach, while the idyllic landscapes here offer some of the state’s best beachcombing experience.
The island is the natural habitat of the endangered Aplomado falcon, which can be frequently spotted in pairs here. The island is also home to the endangered Texas horned lizard and a few other endangered species, apart from alligators that dwell in the coastal marsh.
Have you been to any of the places mentioned above? Share your stories with us via the Comments Section below. Let us know if you would like to see a place of your recommendation on our next list here.
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